Lynn Binnie

Preliminary 10th-day enrollment data show that the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has 12,368 students enrolled for the 2019-20 academic year. UW-Whitewater welcomed its highly engaged and diverse student body at both campuses on Sept. 3.

“Our students recognize not only our great value but the high-quality education we offer along with excellent student support,” Chancellor Dwight C. Watson said. “Our graduate and online programs continue to see growth, with an increase in students this year. Our online programs are ranked in the top 10 in the nation.”

“Last year, we saw a record senior class graduate from UW-Whitewater, with 2,923 students receiving degrees – but this success also means that our overall university enrollment is somewhat lower now than in previous years.”

Across both campuses, faculty and staff are engaged in measures to increase opportunities for more students to enroll at UW-Whitewater. As a result, visits to the UW-Whitewater campus during the summer months increased by more than 600 people. Interest in Preview Days, tours and other traditional fall events for prospective students continues to build as well.

“The increase in visits is a good indication that people are interested in all that UW-Whitewater has to offer in terms of academics and co-curricular activities,” Watson said. “We believe those who visit UW-Whitewater will experience a campus with highly engaged and welcoming faculty and staff who deeply care about student success. The fact that our campus is located in a beautiful and supportive community helps as well.”

Currently, 73 UW-Whitewater at Rock County students live in the UW-Whitewater campus residence halls and are able to use a free shuttle system to get back and forth.

“The Rock County students who are choosing to live on the Whitewater campus are experiencing a full range of university experiences. We are pleased to be able to offer these services to all of our students no matter where they take their classes.”

For the third consecutive year, UW-Whitewater has been named among the Colleges of Distinction — a national honor that recognizes campuses for exceptional teaching and dedication to student success. Colleges of Distinction’s selection process consists of a review of each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and more.

“UW-Whitewater is deeply committed to student success. For more than 150 years we have transformed lives, and we will continue to be a critical part of the community, region and beyond,” Watson said.

Final enrollment numbers will be available from UW System in late fall.

Moms Demand Action – Whitewater is holding a meeting for members and supporters on Sunday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center. Newcomers are welcome. Attendees will socialize, take part in training, and then cross the street to Whitewater Municipal Building to take part in the Town Hall of Representative James Sensenbrenner which begins at 7:00 p.m.  Participants should wear red or orange to show their support for gun violence prevention.

Moms Demand Action-Whitewater is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization that fights for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. We pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. We work in our communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. We know that gun violence is preventable, and we’re committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe.

We support common-sense legislation including requiring criminal background checks on all gun sales, and red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others.

Jenny Rule, Local Group Lead for Moms Demand Action-Whitewater, encourages newcomers to join the organization. “When people learn what we stand for, they want to stand with us – regardless of their politics or whether they are gun owners or non-gun owners. The epidemic of gun violence has gone on long enough. Moms Demand Action will teach you how to fight for positive change. We hope you will join us to learn more on September 22.” 

A busy weekend lies ahead of our community as hundreds of runners young and old discover Whitewater as participants and volunteers of this year’s Discover Whitewater Series Race, Sunday, Sept. 22! With that in mind please remember that all community members are welcome to support the Whitewater Kiwanis at their pancake breakfast 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Whitewater High School but also note key road closures along the race route may necessitate changes in your regular travel through the city and can be found here. 
Find more information about the Discover Whitewater Series and the community organizations that benefit from this annual event here.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Whitewater Unified School Board appointed Miguel Aranda, 29, of 243 N. Park Street, to fill the school board position previously held by Jean Linos who resigned.  Three other citizens had also applied for the position: Andrew Crone, Maryann Zimmerman, and Nick Baldwin. In a second round of voting, Aranda was selected over Zimmerman by a margin of 5-1.

Miguel is a Senior Financial Specialist in the University Center at UW-W. He graduated from our university with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an International Business major and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Finance and Financial Management Services. Miguel is a lifelong Whitewater resident and was the recipient of the 2018 Making Democracy Work Award from the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area. He has two children, ages 4 and 2.

Aranda, who is fluent in Spanish, mentioned his involvement in Latino outreach to the community. With a teacher Aranda described as an “anchor” to the local Latino community planning to leave, he said he wants to make sure Latino students will still have someone in the district to look up to. He said he had “great mentors” during his schooling in Whitewater. “Education is very important to me,” he said. “I do believe that education is at the forefront of making a better society.”

Aranda will fill the seat until the April election, but he said he does not plan to run for another term on the board. He said he is committed to the civic work he is involved in pertaining to the election, such as increasing voter turnout and working as a poll worker, and that he could not participate in those activities if he was on the ballot. He said, however, that he is open to running for the board someday.
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El Lunes 16 de Septiembre, la Junta Escolar Unificada de Whitewater designó a Miguel Aranda, de 29 años, de 243 N. Park Street, para ocupar el puesto de la junta escolar que anteriormente fue ocupaba por Jean Linos, quien renunció. Miguel es Especialista Financiero Mayor en el Centro Universitario de la Universidad de Wisconsin-Whitewater. Se graduó de nuestra universidad con una Licenciatura en Administración de Empresas con especialización en Negocios Internacionales y actualmente está cursando una maestría en Finanzas y Servicios de Gestión Financiera. Miguel es residente de Whitewater de toda la vida y recibió el Premio Making Democracy Work 2018 de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes – Área de Whitewater. Tiene dos hijos, de 4 y 2 años.

Aranda, que habla español, mencionó su participación en el alcance latino a la comunidad. Con una maestra que Aranda describió como un “ancla” para la comunidad latina local que planea moverse, dijo que quiere asegurarse de que los estudiantes latinos todavía tengan a alguien en el distrito quien les ayude. Dijo que tuvo “grandes mentores” durante su educación en Whitewater. “La educación es muy importante para mí”, dijo. “Creo que la educación es super importante para hacer una sociedad mejor”.

Aranda ocupará el puesto hasta las elecciones de Abril, pero dijo que no planea postularse por la posición. Dijo que está comprometido con el trabajo cívico en el que participa en relación con las elecciones, como aumentar la participación electoral y trabajar como trabajador electoral, y que no podría participar en esas actividades si estuviera en la boleta electoral. Sin embargo, dijo que está abierto a postularse para el consejo algún día.

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Walworth County Administrator David Bretl has announced his retirement after 18 years as county government’s top staff employee. Bretl said he expects to step down during the first quarter of 2020, after the county board has chosen a successor. Bretl has been on the job since 2001.

“I am grateful for all of the support I have had here,” he said in an email expressing gratitude to county board members, county department heads, county staff and citizens. Bretl also serves as the county’s corporation counsel, or chief attorney —  duties that he said will be reassigned.

Bretl said he announced his retirement plans Aug. 30 to the county board and to county department heads.“I will be working with the board to ensure a smooth transition,” he said.

“Dave has been an excellent County Administrator. Walworth County has been very fortunate to have him. He has worked very hard for us, kept the Board informed of issues facing the county both good and bad. He has totally rearranged the administrative portion of the organization, making it very efficient cost controlled. Walworth County residents should be very proud of our Administrator and Support Staff for the way our County operates,” shared Jerry Grant, Walworth County Supervisor District 4.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Remove or hide valuables which are in your automobiles! Lock your automobiles! Secure your homes, apartments and garages! Immediately report activity which appears suspicious or out of place! Community-wide vigilance is essential. We in law enforcement call this target hardening.

Over the past several weeks, numerous home and garage burglaries, auto entries, auto thefts and other thefts have occurred in Dane, Jefferson, Walworth and Waukesha counties. Some of these incidents have occurred in our city. A number of these burglaries across these counties occurred because unlocked vehicles in the driveway or lot of the homes and apartments contained a garage door opener. A mere button push away from full access to a garage or home.

Our agency has altered our focus during patrols in response to these crimes. We, along with our law enforcement partners in other cities and counties, are diligently working to identify, arrest and hold accountable those responsible.

We are asking all homeowners, renters and property owners to do the following:

1. Valuables kept in your vehicle should be stored out of sight or removed from your vehicle altogether.
2. Lock those auto doors.
3. Consider removing your garage door opener from your vehicle while it’s parked overnight in your driveway or lot or, at a minimum, put it in an out of sight location in your auto. We recognize that some openers are programmed into the auto.
4. Lock your home, apartment and garage.
5. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
Immediately report suspicious activity to us.

The men and women of the Whitewater Police Department refuse to allow these criminals to view our city as an easy target for repeat victimization! With your assistance we will send that message loudly and clearly. Our partnership is the key to success.

Please share this post with your neighbors, family, friends, co-workers and fellow students.

Chief Aaron M. Raap